Tony Stewart’s Surprise Merger Rumors With Cup Series Rival Leaves NASCAR Fans Guessing

Stewart-Haas Racing and rumors about their downscaling plan are growing louder. Previously, there was a lot of chatter about how the team could do away with its two charters and remain afloat in NASCAR. However, there was no clear idea or plan as to how Tony Stewart’s team would be able to do so, until now.

If we are to go by the latest reports, SHR could be plotting a merger with Front Row Motorsports. It has to be noted that FRM has been bumped to Tier 1 status after its new partnership with Ford. On the other hand, SHR’s own deal with Ford will run dry by the end of 2024, potentially putting the team in a deadlock situation. To top it all off, the team’s Cup Series shenanigans have turned out for the worst.

As a result, many suitors, who are eyeing an expansion in their racing operations in the division, have kept close tabs on SHR’s moves this year. Earlier, Trackhouse Racing, 23XI, and even Legacy Motor Club were reportedly in the running to grab the charters from SHR. However, a merger with FRM is certainly not out of the question.

Tony Stewart and Gene Haas | Image Credits – Imago

Bob Pockrass of Fox Sports in his report mentioned that SHR, “has sent prospective buyers information on what it would take to purchase a charter.” Among those mentioned in the market for the charter are Trackouse Racing, Legacy Motor Club, 23XI Racing, and a new entry, Front Row Motorsports.

Pockrass mentioned, “Front Row, if it expands, also likely would need more space. SHR, which has two big buildings (one a Cup shop, the other that has served as the Haas Formula 1 U.S headquarters), also could sell one of its buildings if it downsizes.” Although this doesn’t mean that SHR and FRM will team up, there is certainly scope to do so.

Having said that, no one expected that the Tony Stewart-owned team would consider a potential merger with their rivals. Even fans were taken aback by the sudden announcement and like always, had a lot to say about the possibilities of the deal.

“Wonder if SHR is splitting?” Fans react to rumors about SHR’s merger with Front Row Motorsports.

It is difficult to see Tony Stewart and Gene Haas continue collaborating. With F1 being the priority for the latter and Stewart’s contribution to SHR being under the scanner, perhaps a split is the only possible outcome to solve the mess the company has been in.

Reacting to the rumors, a fan speculated on a similar outcome. “I actually wouldn’t be shocked if Gene left all together, which is why this is happening,” a user on Reddit wrote. If SHR leaves Ford, that could mean downsizing. As such it will be interesting to see if Haas continues with the team at all.

Speculations are rife within the NASCAR community with many strongly believing that a split within SHR is imminent. The Door Bumper Clear podcast hosts indicated the same when they said, “You see the rumors out there, Stewart-Haas is selling charters, probably two of them…You hear the numbers are lower than that (last year) and it’s probably because Gene (Haas) just wants to get rid of them.”

Evidently, both FRM and SHR have had a cause for worry in the top tourney. With Front Row’s last win coming in 2023 with Michael McDowell at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, the team has yet to show a promising run in the current season. On the other hand, Stewart-Haas Racing seems to be stuck in the same boat with their last win coming in 2022. Notably, the team suffered a winless season in 2023 for the first time since 2008. Even 2024 has shown them a downward trend, especially with their two veteran driver, Kevin Harvick and Aric Almirola’s departure in 2023-end.

Taking a jibe at both the team’s recent run of performances on the racetrack, a fan chimed in by stating, “FRM has 2 wins since the beginning of the 2021 season. SHR has 3 in that same span, 2 of which are from a driver who is now retired. SHR had 4 cars compared to FRM’s 2.”

Many have believed that with Haas FI being the priority for Gene, SHR has taken a backseat, and as such his departure may not be a bad thing.

A fan took a dig at the SHR co-owner Gene Haas and opined how his departure would be a good thing. Sharing his reasons for the same, the Redditor said, “Honestly if this gets rid of Gene’s bullsh*t “Being in NASCAR is good enough” mentality then i’m all for it”. 

If FRM decides to expand and buy a charter, it could buy SHR’s building and the two could merge. We have seen this before in NASCAR. In 2009, Gillett Evernham Motorsports and Petty Enterprises merged to form Richard Petty Motorsports.

Another user presented a different picture that could yet come to life, “I wonder if SHR is splitting? Haas stays with ford and merge with FRM while Stewart goes to chevy (and probly merge with JRM)”.

One fan also painted an imaginary scenario of the split and how it would affect the current lineup of SHR drivers. “If this is a split like the post mentions, I wonder if Gragson and someone like Custer goes with Gene over to Front Row while Berry and Briscoe follow Tony.”

This is indeed a big blow for SHR fans. A team that once used to dominate the NASCAR circuits is now staring at the possibility of being defunct. SHR fans will hope Tony Stewart can turn things around and the team has a fruitful future ahead.